By Ronald Mangravite December 05, 2002

The two faces of theater, as most everyone knows, are the masks of tragedy and comedy. But perhaps a better bifurcation would be between the theater of challenge and that of tradition. The theater of tradition promotes cultural assumptions. The best of this celebrates enduring values and communities; the worst sedates its audiences with sugary escapism. The theater of challenge critiques cultural assumptions, producing plays that make you think or squirm. The best of this creates healthy debate and soul-searching; the worst bludgeons its... More >>>